New Yeovil Town manager Paul Sturrock picked up the first win of his reign at Huish Park last night, as his side dented the play-off ambitions of Sheffield United. A single goal midway through the second half saw a Sam Foley free kick flicked on by Byron Webster, and Fulham loanee Stephen Arthurworrey was able to convert from close range to give the Glovers a lead that they never relinquished. Both sides contributed equally in a tight game, but the three points and most importantly the club's first clean sheet since January 24th, gives some signs of a turnaround from the club's recent form as Sturrock attempts to create a new atmosphere within the club for next season.

Despite hinting that he'd be using Yeovil's last four games to rotate his squad and see more players, Paul Sturrock's second team selection saw only small tweaks, with Kieffer Moore coming in for James Hayter, whilst Josh Sheehan was introduced for Joel Grant. The more subtle change was that the 4-4-2 was closer to a 4-3-1-2, with Sheehan encouraged to act as a more forward-thinking midfielder, with the other three spread across behind him.

The first half was one of few chances, even if Yeovil Town created some bright passages of play during that period. Kieffer Moore's shot was blocked for a corner, whilst a strong run from Sam Foley through the heart of the Blades midfield saw him release Gozie Ugwu, with a defender's body again getting in the way of the ball for a corner. Then Moore had another attempt from distance that deflected off a defender, allowing Mark Howard to gather the ball with the sting taken off the shot.

Sheffield United took a while to grow into the game, and it actually came via misfortune as they suffered two first half injuries that forced them into change. In particular Jamie Murphy came on as a left-winger. Just after Jason Holt had fired wide, Murphy's run down the flank saw him beat Liam Shephard, only for his cross seeing Paul Coutts send his attempt inside the box well over the bar. Just before the half time whistle blew, former Glover Craig Alcock was introduced as Sheffield United's second substitution, to a warm round of applause, and there was a feeling that the visitors were just starting to find their feet in the game. Neither side had worried the goalkeepers too much though.

The second half opened with more of the same, with Stephen Kingsley's long range effort, being followed up by another strike on goal that went much wider of the target than his first. Then Kieffer Moore came inches away from scoring as he almost converted Kingsley's back post header, with a defender hacking the loose ball away.

Midway through the second period though, Yeovil got the goal they needed, to get their noses in front. Once again Sam Foley was the goal creator, as his free kick into the box was flicked on by Byron Webster. Goalkeeper Mark Howard seemed to lose sight of the ball in the crowded goalmouth, and Stephen Arthurworrey was credited by both tannoy announcer and Press Association as having got the final touch, even though Byron's celebrations suggested he was staking a claim for the goal.

Inevitably, with Sheffield United needing the points to stay in play-off contention, they threw men forward in the closing stages. Jamie Murphy fired over the bar, and then got his side's big chance of the night as he lobbed the ball past Artur Krysiak towards the back of the net. Stephen Arthurworrey was on the defensive goal line this time though, and managed to get a foot to it as a Blades attacker ended up wrapped up in the back of the net, in his attempts to claim the loose ball.

Seth Nana Twumasi was brought on for Gozie Ugwu during the closing stages, in a clear attempt to provide an extra defensive option, as the Blades introduced Jose Baxter as a late substitution, throwing men forward in numbers. But the Glovers played it out well, even frustrating their opponents as they took a number of short corners during three minutes of injury time, eating up plenty of time as the ball kept pinging out of play for another set piece. For the victory, for the clean sheet, and for and end to the club's run of just one point in their last seven fixtures, this was a welcome tonic. It may not alter Yeovil Town's destination for the 2015-16 season, but if Paul Sturrock can pull off one or two other scorelines like that in the three remaining games, things may look a little brighter by the time we reach the summer.